First Day of School 08

I just thought I would post a few pictures of the first day of school. Yes, it is dark outside when Chloe and Gregory left for school what ever happened to kids going to school when it's light outside. Chloe is a senior this year, scary and Gregory is a freshmen and Samantha is in the fourth grade. Again, my kids are all in different schools. I dream of having all of your kids in one school how easy would that be? So far so good though for the new school year everyone seems to be happy. Seminary started this week though and Gregory is adjusting but, the other night he was done with his homework and laying on the ground at 7:30 at night.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

I have been debating about whether to admit to this story, but it's just to great to not share. On our last day in Paris we were packed and ready to go early, we ran the whole day to fit everything in and then back to the hotel to grab our stuff and then on to Charles DeGauille airport. We left in plenty of time and there was limited traffic, we were set to head on to Munich and arrive in Garmisch in the late evening to start the Bavarian half of our trip. There was one small problem as we went to check in for our flight, we had not looked at our tickets to confirm the airport and yes we were at the wrong airport.Our flight was leaving from Orly, very close to the hotel we had just left. We tried to get a taxi, but there was no way to get across town in time for our flight. Then we went on a scavenger hunt for transportation, no trains because the Tour D' france had just ended, no buses, no flights until the next day and they were 1,000 each. So, Greg rented us a car a French Renault to drive to Germany, how far could it be right? As we pulled out into Paris rush hour traffic it became quite obvious that our French rental had a problem with the air conditioning. That's okay it was only about 95 degrees. We drove all through the night and arrived in Garmisch at sunrise. Although, it was an unscheduled road trip it was probably one of the best nights we had. The moral of the story even when on vacation check your tickets.

Paris Day 2

This is a photo diary of day two in Paradise or Paris whichever you prefer. Our day started off at a bakery for Chocolate croissants of course, or a few tarts if you were Greg. We started at Notre Dame which I was totally in love with. Who knew that gargoyles could be so cool. We hiked all the way up the tower which was around 468 steps or so. It's a good thing we run every day ha ha. After Notre Dame we made a dash to the Musee D'Orsay unfortunately, it was closed because it was Monday. Very sad but it gives me an excuse to go back. After that it was on to the Eiffel Tower and a few hundred gypsies. The view is spectacular, the crowds are not. Then we made it to the Arche D' Triompe. When we were in Paris it just happened to be the final day of the Tour D' France and we just happened to be strolling the Champs D' Elysse at that time. Pretty cool although, most of the stores were closed by the timne we got there that afternoon. I think Jeff and Greg planned it this way. Well Paris was fantastic, but there were things we didn't get to because we ran out of time. I will include the awesome story of our departure from France tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Paris Day 1

This is our first day in Paris and we started at the Louvre, how could we not. Just think DaVinci code. First of all, there aren't any words to describe how large the Louvre is, second I think it would take at least a full week to see everything there. Since we had two days in Paris we attacked the map first thing and we picked out the most important things to see. Yes, this is the Mona Lisa and yes I was almost crushed trying to get close enough to take a picture of her. Just think about five hundred people in one room trying to see one small painting behind glass.... very hot and sweaty and way to many people pushing you over to get up close.

Europe 08

Apologies to all, yes it has been way to long since I have posted. Sorry, but we have been traveling most of the last month and I didn't have a computer with us. Greg and I just got back from an amazing trip to Europe with Jeff and Shelly. We traveled through France, Germany, Italy and through Austria. We spent 16 days having a great adventure. Most of the time I was there I kept saying why haven't we ever been here before, the only excuse I could think of has something to do with five kids and about ten years of dance trips every summer. Not that those dance trips weren't great as well, just a little less of the European beauty. There are many stories to tell but, they will have to come in stages. This is our first night in Paris which was amazing. I just had to show this picture of the restaurant and all of the tables in the torn up street. There was concrete and construction going on everywhere but it did not stop the Parisians from enjoying their Saturday night. Mind you that every woman is walking on this torn up street with stilettos on.

July Fourth Texas Style

This is the first year in a few years that we stayed in Texas for the 4 of July. We had a great time although, we missed all the family. We went to the parade in the morning and had a BBQ, then went to Market Street for an awesome firework show. It was unbelievable weather, I almost can't believe we were in Houston. ha ha. When we scoped out the perfect spot on a hillside near the waterway to watch the fireworks, it was 79 degrees. That will never happen here again I'm sure. It was Brittanie and Marcus and Indie's first official holiday here as Texans and we loved having them here.

The Worst Phone Call Ever

This is the phone call that everyone waits for and is not happy to get. Last Wednesday Greg and I were going to run some errands about 6:45 pm, when we got a call from Chloe's cell phone. Greg said, " hi Chloe" and a lady says, "this isn't Chloe and your daughter was in a car accident but she should be fine." We turned around and were only about three minutes away from the accident at Kuykendahl intersection and Flintridge. As we drove up I was expecting to see Chloe's car pulled over on the side of the road, but no we got there and the whole intersection was blocked off by a fire truck and ambulance and police car. That is scary; especially when I see Chloe's car up on the median and an EMT hovering over her while she is sitting in the dirt. Fortunately, Chloe was only scared and mostly sore with bruises from the seat belt and a cut on her head. A lady of about 50 or so ran a red light and plowed into Chloe's passenger side going about 45 or so. The air bags released and Chloe spun around and went up onto a median in the center of the road. The ladies car was totaled and Chloe's was towed away as well. We are still waiting to see what the damage is to Chloe's car and how long it will take to get fixed. All in all not a great day but, Chloe was lucky to walk away like she did.